Abstract: An oral hygiene device (100) including at least one sensor (104) to improve a user's operation of the oral hygiene device is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the oral hygiene device includes a longitudinal shaft (102), an attachment assembly (112), a handle portion (110), a suspension system (106), at least two sensors (104a, 104b), and at least one processor (132). The at least one processor is operable to receive an amount of force applied to the attachment assembly, which is detected by the at least two sensors. An angle that the attachment assembly is applied is also determined, the angle being based on the detected amount of force. In one embodiment, the angle and the amount of force are displayed within a user interface to the user to help the user improve their oral hygiene technique.

Abstract: A varnish composition is provided comprising a hydrophilic oral care agent, such as a peroxide material, dispersed in a solution of a film-forming hydrophobic polymer in a non-polar solvent. The solvent is selected so as to be a good solvent for the polymer and to be susceptible to evaporation. The composition can be applied as a single layer varnish, preferably a whitening varnish. E.g., the dispersed hydrophilic peroxide material is an aqueous peroxide solution, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, whereby the dispersion is an emulsion.

Abstract: A touch sensor input device includes a first and second array of electrodes, the electrodes in the first array being orthogonal to the electrodes in the second array. A capacitor sensing arrangement senses an electrode capacitance signal which varies in the presence of a touch input. The capacitance signals for groups of electrodes in each array are combined in order to derive respective individual sense signals. This arrangement has electrodes with a finer resolution than the sensing resolution, and this gives improved ability to sense accurately the position of the touch input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing a user's efficiency while operating an oral hygiene device (10) is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one image is captured using an image capturing component (602), and a region of interest (820) for operating the oral hygiene device is determined based on the at least one captured image. Characteristics corresponding to a motion of the oral hygiene device operated by the user are extracted. An analysis of the extracted characteristics occurs to determine a quality of motion of the oral hygiene device, and feedback is provided to the user to regarding the determined quality of motion of the oral hygiene device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing a user's efficiency while operating an oral hygiene device (10) is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, motion information of an oral hygiene device is received from one or more accelerometers (32) located within the oral hygiene device. The received motion information is compared to a targeted motion of the oral hygiene device. The user operating the oral hygiene device is then provided with feedback in response to determining that the received motion information is within a predefined range of the targeted motion information.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port of a distal tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port. The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the second fluid medium (30) through a distal probe tip.

Abstract: A detection apparatus enables detection of a substance that may be present on the surface based on measurement of a stream probe signal correlating a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through a stream probe includes a distal optical gum detector transmission portion and a distal optical gum detector reception portion in a position to transmit and to receive, respectively, an optical signal controlled by a controller, enables the controller to determine if an open port of a distal tip of the stream probe is in contact with a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port and not in contact with the gums of a subject or of a user of the detection apparatus to override false positive signals.

Abstract: A powered oral care apparatus (2) has a pump-free fluid delivery system for delivering one or more fluids to the oral cavity of a user. The oral care apparatus may employ an oral care assembly (30) that has a capsule member (38) for delivering fluid through a number of openings (31, 46) in response to movement of a head (4) of the oral care apparatus. The oral care apparatus may also employ an oral care assembly (62) having a diaphragm member (84) and a mass member (88) coupled thereto wherein, in response to motion being imparted to the brushhead, the mass member and diaphragm member generate a pumping force to cause fluid to be delivered out of the oral care assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus f or electrically controlling a Iuminaire to alter it s appearance and illumination effects are disclosed. A luminaire (100) having a multiplexing controller controlling one or more LED light sources (110) and one or more electrically switchable optical elements (150). The light sources are switched between at least two illumination states and the optical elements are switched between at least two optical states during an illumination period. The switching sequence is fast enough not to be detected by an observer. As a result the lighting module or luminaire is perceived to have a substantially continuous light output. The multiplexing controller rapidly time sequences the states of light sources and switchable surfaces to produce visual changes to the luminaire and/or objects illuminated by the luminaire.

Abstract: A system for displaying images is provided. The system includes a capacitive touch sensor device includes a dielectric layer having a sensing area and covered by a transparent substrate. A plurality of series of first sense electrodes and a plurality of series of second sense electrodes are embedded in a first level of the dielectric layer and within the sensing area. Each series of first sense electrodes extends along a first direction and each series of second sense electrodes extends along a second direction substantially different from the first direction. A plurality of signal lines are embedded in a second level lower than the first level of the dielectric layer and extends along the second direction. Each signal line is correspondingly and electrically connected to one of the plurality of series of first sense electrodes.

Abstract: A touch sensor input device includes a first and second array of electrodes, the electrodes in the first array being orthogonal to the electrodes in the second array. A capacitor sensing arrangement senses an electrode capacitance signal which varies in the presence of a touch input. The capacitance signals for groups of electrodes in each array are combined in order to derive respective individual sense signals. This arrangement has electrodes with a finer resolution than the sensing resolution, and this gives improved ability to sense accurately the position of the touch input.

Abstract: A sensing method for a touch sensing device is provided. In one embodiment, for one set of interlaced receiving electrode and transmitting electrodes of the touch sensing device, an integrator coupled to the receiving electrode is reset only one time. In another embodiment, for each group of sensing electrodes, an integrator coupled to the sensing electrodes is reset only one time. Accordingly, the rate at which the touch sensing array is sensed may be increased. Noise reduced by the process of resetting the integrator due to charge injection effects may be decreased.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port of a distal tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port. The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the second fluid medium (30) through a distal probe tip.

Abstract: A detection apparatus (1000) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on the surface (31, 33) based on measurement of a stream probe signal correlating a substance (116) at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30, 35) through a stream probe (500) includes a distal optical gum detector transmission portion (620) and a distal optical gum detector reception portion (720) in a position to transmit and to receive, respectively, an optical signal controlled by a controller (2251), enables the controller (2251) to determine if an open port (526) of a distal tip (522) of the stream probe (500) is in contact with a substance (116) at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30, 35) through the open port (526) and not in contact with the gums of a subject or of a user of the detection apparatus (1000) to override false positive signals.

Abstract: A system for displaying images is provided. The system includes a capacitive touch sensor device includes a dielectric layer having a sensing area and covered by a transparent substrate. A plurality of series of first sense electrodes and a plurality of series of second sense electrodes are embedded in a first level of the dielectric layer and within the sensing area. Each series of first sense electrodes extends along a first direction and each series of second sense electrodes extends along a second direction substantially different from the first direction. A plurality of signal lines are embedded in a second level lower than the first level of the dielectric layer and extends along the second direction. Each signal line is correspondingly and electrically connected to one of the plurality of series of first sense electrodes.

Abstract: A sensing device is provided. The sensing device includes a first receiving electrode, a plurality of first electrodes, and a second electrode. The first receiving electrode extends in a first direction and controlled to a receiver. The first electrodes are connected electrically by a first signal line. At least one of the first electrodes is coupled to and controlled by a transmitter. The second electrode is electrically connected by a second signal line. The first electrodes and the second electrode are disposed on a row which extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first signal line crosses the first receiving electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrically controlling a Iuminaire to alter it s appearance and illumination effects are disclosed. A luminaire (100) having a multiplexing controller controlling one or more LED light sources (110) and one or more electrically switchable optical elements (150). The light sources are switched between at least two illumination states and the optical elements are switched between at least two optical states during an illumination period. The switching sequence is fast enough not to be detected by an observer. As a result the lighting module or luminaire is perceived to have a substantially continuous light output. The multiplexing controller rapidly time sequences the states of light sources and switchable surfaces to produce visual changes to the luminaire and/or objects illuminated by the luminaire.

Abstract: A sensing device is provided. First to third receiving electrodes extend in a first direction. First and third receiving electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the second receiving electrode. The first to fourth transmitting electrodes are disposed on a row extending in a second direction. The first and second transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the first receiving electrode, the third and fourth transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the third receiving electrode, and the second and third transmitting electrode are respectively disposed on two sides of the second receiving electrode. The first, second third and fourth transmitting electrodes are independently controlled by a transmitter. A receiver generates a sensing signal according to a signal level is at least one of the first, second, and third receiving electrodes.

Abstract: There is therefore provided a method of estimating the location of a mobile device, the mobile device being configured for use in a cellular mobile communications network comprising a plurality of base stations, the method comprising generating a database of locations visited by the mobile device by obtaining measurements of the position of the mobile device over time using a satellite-based positioning system; obtaining the identity of the base station serving the mobile device at the time of each measurement of the position of the mobile device; and analyzing the measurements to identify locations visited by the mobile device, each location being associated with a particular base station, such that the mobile device is attached to said base station when at said location; and during subsequent use of the mobile device, in the event that it is not possible to use the satellite-based positioning system to measure the position of the mobile device, estimating the location of the mobile device as one or more ide

Abstract: A sensing method for a touch sensing device is provided. In one embodiment, for one set of interlaced receiving electrode and transmitting electrodes of the touch sensing device, an integrator coupled to the receiving electrode is reset only one time. In another embodiment, for each group of sensing electrodes, an integrator coupled to the sensing electrodes is reset only one time. Accordingly, the rate at which the touch sensing array is sensed may be increased. Noise reduced by the process of resetting the integrator due to charge injection effects may be decreased.